Like some other species of fish, it is impossible to tell its age just by looking at the external appearance. However, statoliths formed inside the fish from calcified matter and known as 'daily rings' allow us to calculate the age of the fish in days and when it hatched from its egg.

(Note: On some maps each square is broken down into four parts which are labeled after the semi-colon. These parts go from left to right, top to bottom.)Gatama Atoll: A6, A7, B2, B5, B6, C6, C7, D6, E7, F3, G6, G7Deep Hole: A2;4, B3;1, B3;2, B3;4, B4;1, B4;2, C2;1, C2;3, C3;3, C3;4, C4;1

This fish is identified by its dark stripes and large, elongated fins. Sailfin tangs are actually transparent at birth, with their striped pattern not yet visible. Young fish are yellowish and already sport the characteristic stripes.